Big Girl

March brought some more firsts for our little girl.  As we began to plan for our baby boy to enter our world, we knew it was time to get the new nursery ready and as result, transition Maya into a new big girl bedroom.  Maya has been ready to move out of her crib for a while now so it seemed like the perfect time to try having her sleep in a bed. It's hard to believe that she has grown so fast and almost filled up her crib before she was even two years old.  Once she was standing in her crib leaning over the edge and was so tall she slipped right out and landed on her head.  What a scare for her and for us.  She had never tried climbing out of her crib before and this was completely accidental.  We knew then that it was time to get a new bed, and fast.  Since the baby would be taking all the nursery furniture, and Maya would be getting some new furniture, we decided to leave everything in the same room and redecorate the spare bedroom for Maya.  It was a little concerning as we wondered if she would miss her old bed and room and if it would be difficult for her to make the transition so we tried to make her a part of the process as much as possible to increase the excitement.  She helped daddy to paint the room and we made a big deal about how pretty and pink it was and she also helped daddy to set up the furniture.  Here are a few pictures of her "helping".

She enjoyed the process of trying out her new bed too and we were happy to oblige.

When all was said and done, we prepared for her first night in her big girl bed.  We weren't sure how she would fare. Would be able to sleep all night as she had done so well before?  Would she fall out of bed or even stay in bed without the security and boundaries of the rails of the crib? Would she feel alone in this new, strange room?  We had no idea but knew, like all her other firsts, we would just have to provide as much love and support as possible and wait and see.  And she did amazingly well!!  It took her a bit longer to fall asleep as she talked to herself about her new pink room, her big girl bed and the excitement of it all.  But eventually she fell asleep and slept safe and sound all night long.  She awakened the next morning at the same time as usual but with renewed excitement about her night's accomplishment.  We were shocked at how little transition she seemed to need to say goodbye to her old room (now baby brother's room) and fully embrace her new big girl room.  We stocked her new room with all her favorite books and stuffies and all the accessories from her old room so that must have helped her to feel "at home".  We just couldn't believe what a big girl she has become.  She did fall out of bed a couple times but managed to get the hang of it within only a few weeks.  Here is a short video of Maya on her first night in her new bed - March 19th, 2010.  She was very excited!!

Here are some pictures of the finished product!  Grandma spoiled Maya by splurging on the gorgeous bedding for Maya's room.  Such a beautiful room for such a beautiful little girl!  I had so much fun decorating it and to my great pleasure, Maya seemed to appreciate it too always commenting on her pretty pink room!  I pray the room grows with her and becomes a place of refuge, security and prayer for her.

We still had not opened a few gifts from Christmas and so to add to the excitement of being in her new room, we decided to open one of her gifts from baba.  Baba had bought Maya a new play vanity so we put it together and added it to her room.  It has become one of her favorite places to sit and play and act like a little girl!  She blow dries her hair, curls her hair and talks on her cell phone feeling very grown up, I'm sure.  Sometimes she even convinces daddy to let her do his hair too.  It doesn't take much convincing as he would do anything for his little girl.  Here are some pictures and a video (a little long but posting it mostly for baba) - enjoy if you have time.